Gulgos

From the Principal's Desk

Week 11 

What a term!!  We have had so many events have happened both in and out of school and I am sure you are all feeling a well-deserved holiday looming.  Congratulations to our kindergarten students who have almost made it through a term of learning, their first term at school! 

 

Good luck to Nixon and Lia who are competing in the state PSSA swimming events this week!  We will be cheering you on from school. 

 

Tomorrow 33 students participating in the "Evening with ACOS" Massed Choir will have their first practice at Ben Venue Public School travelling with Miss Randall and Mrs Clendinning.  This is preparing for an exciting event planned for later in the year. 

 

I would like to inform you of a change to our eating times for next term. Times will continue to be from 11:05-11:35 where students are encouraged to eat their lunch. They have a 20-minute sitting time so that food can be eaten before they go to play.  Our second break time is then from 1:05-1:50 where students will sit for 10 minutes to eat something before being allowed to go to the playground to play.  Fruit break still occurs daily when students enter the classroom, and we encourage a fresh piece of fruit or vegetable to be brought every day. 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who came and marched with our banner in the Autumn Festival on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day and was lovely to see it so well supported by the community. I was very proud to walk with everyone and represent MGPS!! 

 

 

Congratulations to the 17 students who went to TAS with Mrs Bull last week to compete in the Da Vinci Code competition.  We walked away with the Year 5 team placing 1st in Art and Poetry, 2nd in Science and 3rd in Engineering. Year 6 had a wonderful day and everyone finished the day feeling happy and confident.  Thank you again to Mrs Bull for organising this event. 

 

 

Easter Hat Parade

The K-6 Easter Hat parade is on this Friday starting at 9:15am in the quadrangle.  Family and friends are all invited to come and watch the parade.  Students are invited to wear out of uniform.  Again, we encourage you to make an Easter hat with your child at home.  K-2 Easter hats will be made in the classroom and either one can be worn for the parade.  The Easter raffle will be drawn after the parade and hot cross buns can be collected from the MPC from 9:00am.  Thank you again for all of the support. 

 

High Potential Gifted Education Initiative for Term 2

With Ian continuing to lead the Northern Tablelands area as the Director of Educational Leadership (DEL), Mrs Peta Deiderick will continue to relieve as Principal for Term 2.

Staff return for Term 2 on Monday 28th April where we will spend two staff development days with a focus on High Potential Gifted Education (HPGE). This focus area highlights the Department of Education's commitment to high potential and gifted education across NSW public schools.   

 

I am excited to fall back into to my Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction (APC&I) role to assist in implementing an initiative in this focus area. Our HPGE initiative will focus on creating cross-stage learning opportunities that foster collaboration and encourage peer learning in areas across four domains: intellectual, social emotional, physical and creative. These opportunities will provide enriched educational experiences that challenge and engage our learners, looking for potential in everyone.  We always aim to ensure that your children's unique learning needs are effectively met, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment where every child can thrive. More information regarding HPGE will be provided throughout next term.  

 

 We have made some staffing adjustments to support the implementation of our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) initiative and in response to continued relieving duties. 

  • Mrs Helen Bull will continue in the Assistant Principal role on Stage 3
  • Mr Mark Annetts will move to support Stage 3 
  • Ms Jemima Clyde-Smith and Mrs Emma Polson will take on shared classroom teacher roles of the Year 2 Possums
  • Mrs Madison Killen will move to take on Kindergarten for 2 days per week to replace Mrs Williams who is going off on maternity leave 
  • Mrs Catherine Clarke joins our staff to support across Stage 2 and 3. 

We appreciate your understanding as we implement these staffing changes.  Our focus remains on providing a high-quality education for all students, ensuring that all classes are staffed by experienced and dedicated educators.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Williams for her time on kindergarten.  She is such a positive member of staff whose love of children and art will be missed at our school.  Thank you for your professional approach to teaching and learning and for providing our students with many wonderful learning opportunities.  We wish Anneliese the best of luck and the safe arrival of her baby, due in May. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns around these changes, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best educational opportunities for our students. 

 

Wishing all families a wonderful, safe holiday.  All students are welcomed back next term on Wednesday 30th April.  Thank you for the support as I relieved in the principal position for part of this term.  What a wonderful school community it is to be a part of.  Have a wonderful Easter break and I look forward to the many exciting opportunities next term will bring. 

 

Mrs Polson